A NEW limited edition green “bag for life” is on sale in libraries for £2 to celebrate Cheshire’s Year of Gardens 08.

The stylish, sturdy and durable bags replace the original “bag for life” which was launched three years ago. More than 50,000 of them are in use.

“The bags have proved incredibly popular, becoming a familiar sight on our high streets and each one prevents around 300 plastic bags ending up in landfill sites each year,” said Cheshire’s waste strategy manager Helen De Lemos

“Their aim is to encourage people to choose reusable bags and to say ‘no’ to plastic carrier bags.”

She added: “The shocking truth is that 100,000 tonnes of plastic bags are thrown away in the UK each year. They don’t break down easily and discarded plastic carriers are found littering even the remotest parts of the world causing suffering to wildlife and polluting the environment.”

Made from hessian jute, a natural product, the bags have been designed to be stylish and practical.

They have a useful wide base, won’t split apart with heavy loads and the handles are comfortable and won’t dig into your hands.